Tips For Nurses To Stay Healthy During Winter Season

Staying healthy during the flu and cold season can be a difficult task, especially if you’re taking care of others, as nurses. Healthcare is important for you too, not just for your patients.

Nurses are busy, on their feet all day, spending a lot of time with sick people, and there are generally just a lot of colds and bugs going around.

However, it’s incredibly important that you try to keep yourself healthy, both for yourself, and so you can be at your best to help those around you.

Health Tips For Nurses

While you’ll be well clued up on hygiene, and how important things like hand washing are, here are a few other tips to help you keep on top form.

1. Sleep

While it isn’t always easy to get enough sleep when you are busy, it’s remarkably important when it comes to staying healthy and fighting off minor illnesses.

Sleep gives your body its best chance to recover and repair itself so make sure you get a good 8 hours.

If you are a nurse considering furthering your education but are worried about returning to school, on top of all other stresses, consider an RN to BSN online. This will be much easier to cope with than traditional education.

2. Diet

You can easily give your immune system a boost by making some small changes to your diet. Make sure you are eating lots of fruit and vegetables.

Try to include them in your meals for a good vitamin and anti-oxidant packed dinner. Over Christmas, sprouts are a brilliant source of B vitamins.

Sweet potatoes are a tasty way of making sure you get lots of vitamins C and A and garlic is said to be a great immune system booster.

3. Vitamins

If you think you need a little extra help, a vitamin supplement couldn’t hurt. Multivitamins are the best choice but speak to your doctor if you feel you might need anything specific.

4. Exercise

Keeping fit is a huge part of staying healthy. Try to get outdoors in the fresh air as often as you can. Going for a run, or a nice walk is a great way to get outdoors, relax and get some exercise.

Exercise can boost your mood and energy as well as help combat health conditions. Even a 30-minute walk can make a huge difference.

If you don’t have much time for exercise, try to keep generally active. Stand instead of sitting, walk instead of driving and take the stairs, not the elevator.

5. Relax

Stress can often leave us feeling run down, and much more likely to pick up illnesses. Be sure to take some time for yourself where you can.

Do something relaxing, or fun. Spending time with friends is a great way to reduce stress levels.

6. Keep Warm

Keep your home warm, and wear warm clothing. Being cold can lead to many different illnesses, from coughs and colds to depression and pneumonia.

Lots of thin layers work well, and make sure you’ve got a good pair of winter shoes.

7. Look After Your Family

Families are terrible for passing illnesses between them. Especially if there are school-aged children. Make sure you apply all this advice to your whole family to reduce the risks for you all.

If you do become ill, take a break from your work and rest as soon as you can.